‘Green Arenas’ Advocate May Revitalize Stalled Florida Project

LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — A stalled hockey arena set to be built in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, may be revived by Canadian businesswoman Susan Jamieson, who plans to build a number of “green” arenas across the U.S. and Canada.

Dan Perka, senior vice president and general counsel for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc. said Jamieson met with SMR officials for half an hour roughly six weeks ago to discuss taking over the $70 million DVA Arena project, according to the Bradenton Herald.

According to Jamieson’s Web site, she started with “the idea of building one arena as a real-time showcase for…environmentally safe products.”

The site goes on to say, “Once underway, this project will, I believe, open the door to creating thousands of new environmental ambassadors, perhaps from the least likely places.”

While SMR officials still have little information on Jamieson or her plan, she has the backing of PCL Construction Co., Canada’s largest general contractor, according to her site. PCL’s Web site reports that the company does $5 billion in construction annually.

The paper reports that PCL representatives in Denver, Orlando and Tampa knew nothing of a partnership with Jamieson, leading SMR officials to act dismissive of a possible deal, having heard empty claims about reviving the arena project in the past.

Construction on the troubled arena halted in February 2005 when investors stopped paying general contractor Walbridge-Aldinger. Since then, DVA officials have issues numerous assurances that the project would be revived. None of those claims have proven successful. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers

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